Imara Diversifies The Beastmen World (Dropped)

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty Nine: What Love Did to Me

I woke slowly, warmth surrounding me from every side. My head and arm were draped across Horace's chest, his steady breathing rising beneath my cheek. The other half of me had somehow ended up sprawled across Harvey. My legs intertwined with his, with my hand across his chest.

For a moment I didn't move. I just lay there between them, listening. Soaking in their natural scent. Horace's heartbeat was slow and deep beneath my ear while Harvey's chest rose steadily under my hand.

I lifted my head slightly, looking at them. Horace was still asleep, his face relaxed in a way I rarely saw when he was awake. He was just... too gorgeous. Striking. Like one of those men you'd only expect to exist in books. The streak of gray in his raven black hair only made him look even better.

I could really understand that cliché saying in books now.

How every woman wanted him.

He was fine, dangerous, and irresistible.

Sometimes it was hard to even look at him for too long. My heart would start racing, and I'd have to glance away just to steady myself.

Like that's my man?! I'm so lucky, and I just wanted to show him off. Like yeah... he's mine. He chose me. I got the eye candy all women would commit crimes for.

I felt something deep. A need to claim him, fight for him, like I would go to war over him. Wild, high, raging waves building inside of me... that's how he made me feel.

Is this that Bonnie and Clyde, ride-or-die type of feeling?

I think so...

Then I looked at Harvey. His lashes rested softly against his cheeks, his breathing even and calm. He's just so pretty. Just beautiful in that quiet, effortless way, still masculine, but with an androgynous softness that made the word feel made for him.

Everything about him stirred a deep instinct in me, a pull to protect and provide.

He's my baby.

I had this urge to take care of him so completely he wouldn't have to think, just breathe, just be mine. Just let mama take care of you. I want to spoil him, to tell him to relax and let me handle everything.

I won't let anything happen to him. He was too precious, too sweet... the kind of man that made me want to keep him tucked close and safe. Where no harm could come to him.

I simply watched them, letting the quiet truth of it settle in.

They were here.

Horace opened his eyes and looked at me. I could see them dilating as they adjusted, locking onto me, and my heart and breath just for a few seconds....stopped

"My Aria..."

The base of his voice, that hint of possession always meant for me, made my heart start beating again, my breath coming back as I just melted. I could hear those soft trills in his voice calling me to him. I felt completely pulled in.

"Ace..."

Then Harvey shifted

"My love..." he said.

I looked at him, and his peaceful aura, that natural calm about him, washed over me. I sat up while they both leaned in. Horace took my hand, guiding my fingers to his lips, while Harvey pressed a soft kiss to my wrist, and I just... started falling apart.

"Oh... my..." my voice choked out.

I placed my hands on my chest feeling it tightened out of nowhere, my breath feeling like it was caught in my chest, and I just froze there. I started feeling so overwhelmed, and I tried to focus on them.